San Francisco to Hayfork is 277.1 miles and takes about 5h 22m via I 505 and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region into a more interior part of California. It's primarily a highway route, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a significant portion on major highways, it’s a practical choice for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
138.5 miles from San Francisco, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 505
157.7 mi
2h 49m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
34 mi
41m
Eureka Way
25 mi
29m
CA 3
23.7 mi
35m
Eastshore Freeway
14.3 mi
16m
CA 299
11.8 mi
13m
Linus F. Claeys Freeway
3.5 mi
3m
CA 44
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 505
— 157.7 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Francisco, CA and Hayfork, CA.
1
Start on Market Street
312 ft·7 sec·Market Street
2
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·11th Street
3
Turn left onto Bryant Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Bryant Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward I 80 East: OaklandUse the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Route 80
6
Continue on I 80
6.4 mi·9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·45 sec
Toward I 80 EastUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 880
407 ft·6 sec·Nimitz Freeway
9
Continue on I 80; I 580
3.3 mi·4 min·Eastshore Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
7.4 mi·8 min·Eastshore Freeway
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, SacramentoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 80
3.2 mi·3 min·Eastshore Freeway
Exit 21Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on I 80
3.5 mi·3 min·Linus F. Claeys Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 80
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eastshore Freeway
14
Continue on I 80
1.0 mi·1 min·Carquinez Bridge
15
Continue on I 80
14 mi·16 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
13 mi·15 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 505 North: Winters, ReddingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 505 North: Winters, ReddingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 505
158 mi·2 hr 49 min·I 505
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 678Toward CA 44: Eureka, Susanville
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 678Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
22
Merge onto CA 44
1.2 mi·1 min·CA 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
489 ft·17 sec·Pine Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto CA 44; CA 273; US 99 Hist
25 mi·29 min·Eureka Way
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on CA 299
12 mi·13 min·CA 299
26
Turn left onto CA 3
24 mi·35 min·CA 3
27
Arrive at destination
CA 3
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider departing San Francisco in the morning to ensure you arrive in Hayfork with plenty of daylight. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about where you take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get further from major hubs, and plan your refueling around the I 505 segment where you'll cover the longest distance.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 138.5 miles from San Francisco, CA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 61 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.5 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hayfork, CA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Francisco, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Francisco, CA
This is one driving day of about 277.1 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from San Francisco, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 505 for about 157.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 214.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.7 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 East
8
12.6 mi into trip|~19m in|I 80 / Eastshore Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 / Eastshore Freeway toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 East: Vallejo, Sacramento
7
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
8
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 505 North: Winters, Redding
7
214.3 mi into trip|~4h in
Keep slight left at fork toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 678
Toward CA 44 West: Eureka, Whiskeytown National...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.97 one way
$115.95 round trip
$5.31/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$60.21
$120.42
premium
$5.67
$61.80
$123.60
diesel
$4.80
$52.32
$104.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.1
1
$29.10
$13.30
Efficient EV
69.3
0
$24.25
$11.08
EV Truck/SUV
110.8
1
$38.79
$17.73
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
San Francisco, CA
Late night
in San Francisco on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 7 to 14 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:21PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:16PM PDT until July 17 at 9:45PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Hayfork, CA
Late night
in Hayfork on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
SW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 8:21PM PDT until July 17 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:16PM PDT until July 17 at 9:45PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
Caution: Temporary Closure Aquatic Park Cove Due to Dock Work
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the r...
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of American civilians on the WWII home front. Discover how diverse communities lived, worked, and interacted. Many faces, many stories, many truths...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 19.1
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two s...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 28.7
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species. Go for a hike, enjoy a vista, have a picnic or learn about the centuries of overlapping history f...
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog. Federally protected as a National Monument since 1908,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 77% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 157.7 miles on I 505. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of high-speed cruising and potentially more local traffic as you get closer to Hayfork.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.7 mi on I 505.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 505 and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 277.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,545 ft54 ft
Total Climb
3,190 ft
Total Descent
916 ft
Highest Point
2,545 ft
~237.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,490 ft
Notable High Points
2,545 ft at ~237.5 miles+629 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Francisco, CA and Hayfork, CA, road signs point toward Redding, Susanville and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
The centerpiece of the Bay Area, San Francisco is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. The cultural center of northern California, San Francisco is renowned for its mixture of scenic beauty and unique culture that makes it one of the most vibrant and desirable cities in the nation, if not the world.
Sandwiched between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean on a small square of land seven miles (11 km) on each side, San Francisco offers a wealth of treasures for the visitor, from the windswept and often foggy bay to the steep hills lined with Victorian homes that overlook the spectacular scenery of the city.
Top landmarks
•Golden Gate Bridge — suspension bridge on the San Francisco Bay
•Alcatraz Island — island in San Francisco, California, United States of America
•San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge — suspension bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland, California, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 277.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.7 miles on I 505. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hayfork, CA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (I 80 / Eastshore Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hayfork, CA before the return drive.
